How Miranda Lambert's Hometown Outsmarted Wisconsin Atheists

"But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive."

Genesis 50:20

Last night, a friend told us about this story out of Lindale, TX; re-printed (with permission) in full from Seven Spheres news:

School District Defies Lawsuit Threats to Perform “In God We Trust” the Musical 

By Patrick Butler, Seven Spheres News 

710 Words 

LINDALE, Texas – In defiance of lawsuit threats from the Freedom From Religion Foundation, an estimated 2,200 people turned out Wednesday night in Lindale, Texas, to view the Lindale Independent School District’s 5th Grade musical "In God We Trust." 

The Lindale High School's performing arts center was filled to its capacity of about 1,300 people said event organizers, and overflow rooms were set up in the school gymnasium and cafeteria. 

U.S. Congressman Louie Gohmert (R-Texas) attended the event to “show his support” as did civic representatives and staffers including Jason Wright of Senator Ted Cruz's office and Texas State Rep. Bryan Hughes (R-Dist. 5). The mayor of Lindale, and other local elected officials, joined a standing-room-only capacity crowd to see the musical. 

“We also have an overflow room of 200 filled to capacity,” said the Rev. Tom Buck, senior pastor of First Baptist Church of Lindale, to the cheering audience, “and another overflow room of 700 also filled to capacity. Those who can't fit in the rooms are out on the lawn, listening to an audio-only,” feed from the auditorium. 

Buck said he was “overwhelmed” by the community support for “In God We Trust,” as did the play's co-authors, Chris and Dian Machen of Plano, Texas, located on the outskirts of Dallas, about 90 miles west of Lindale. The couple came to Lindale when they heard the Freedom From Religion Foundation had threatened to sue the Lindale School District if the play was performed as a school function. 

“The number of people here tonight is far beyond what a play like this would normally attract,” said Machen. “Because of what they [Freedom From Religion Foundation] have done, more people than ever are seeing this play.” 

While the words of the songs originated with the Machens, the spoken elements of the play were, for the most part, direct quotes from America's Founding Fathers affirming the role of God in the formation of the country. 

The recitations by the Founding Fathers were re-enacted by fifth grade class members, often in period costume. Direct quotes affirming the role of religion in America from the writings of Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, George Washington, Abraham Lincoln and William Bradford (governor of Plymouth Plantation in the 1600's), were recited without elaboration or interpretation, allowing the writers to speak for themselves. 

Fifth-grader Francisco Mata delivered Bradford's observation that, “A vessel, called the Mayflower, delivered us in pursuit of a new country. To declare our faith, we travelled under a sail inscribed with the words, 'In God We Trust.’” 

The “separation of church and state” controversy was met with Thomas Jefferson's own words taken from the letter to the Danbury Baptist Association in Connecticut, recited by fifth-grader Colton Beeler to heavy applause: “I believe with you,” wrote Jefferson, “that religion is a matter that lies only between man and God. The people have voted that no law controls the decisions of churches in America. It is not that the state should be separate from religion, but that religion should be separate from the state.” 

A consortium of churches in Lindale, including First Baptist Church of Lindale that spearheaded the event, rented the high school’s performing arts center for the evening and staffed the venue. That enabled the fifth grade class at E.J. Moss Elementary school to present their play, which had been stopped when the Freedom From Religion Foundation out of Wisconsin threatened a lawsuit just two days before the scheduled event. 

Gohmert spoke afterwards congratulating the children, parents and community supporters.
"Don't you just love Lindale, Texas?" Gohmert said, to a cheering crowd. 

To the class he said, “I've been in the presence of presidents of our country. I've been in the presence of prime ministers and queens. There is nowhere I'd rather be tonight than right here in Lindale with you.” 

Gohmert quoted Benjamin Franklin, too. 

“Franklin also said, 'God governs in the affairs of men. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground, is it possible an empire can rise without his aid? We have been assured, sir, in the sacred writings that unless God builds the house, they labor in vain that build it.'” 

Turning to the class on stage he said, “You have shown this, exemplified this, to us tonight in such a wonderful way.”

 Kudos also to Congressman Louie Gohmert and Texas State Rep Bryan Hughes, two perennial favorites of Cahnman's Musings!!!

George Washington's Bible

This afternoon, we saw George Washington's inaugural Bible.  It was awe inspiring to come face to face with this priceless artifact.  Washington's inauguration was unique in American history.  Many parallels exist between early American history and Old Testament Israel.  Some Bible Facts:

• This Bible was printed in 1767, at London, England by Mark Baskett, printer to the King.

• It contains 103 steel engravings of maps on Old Testament scenes by the English artist John Stuart.

• It is a King James version, complete with Apocrypha and elaborately supplemented with the historical, astronomical, and legal data of that period.

• The Bible was procured for St. John's Lodge by Jonathan Hampton who presented it to the lodge on becoming its Master in 1770.  St John's Lodge was founded in 1757, but it's property was destroyed in the great fire of lower Manhattan on March 8, 1770.

• The only people allowed to take an oath/declaration on the Bible are: The President of the United States, the Governor of the State of New York, the Grand Master of Masons in New York State, and the master-elect of St. John's Lodge.

• The Bible must be accompanied by three members of St. John's whenever the Bible travels.

• The Inaugural Bible weighs over 9 pounds and is over ten inches tall, over nine inches across and three inches deep.

Super neat.

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More information here:



And here:

Our Daily Texan Letter to the Editor

It is impossible to overstate how excited we are about George Washington's Inaugural Bible coming to town.  Cahnman's Musings would love to attend without controversy.  Unfortunately, the Daily Texan used this joyous occasion as an excuse to push Bill Powers' dishonest anti-Christian agenda:

As a resident of Central Austin I am grateful to the University of Texas for bringing George Washington's Inaugural Bible to town. I am likewise grateful to the Daily Texan for informing me of this event. Friday's Article "George Washington Inaugural Bible on display at LBJ library Monday" makes the argument for the Daily Texan's continued existence better than I ever could.

That being said, this statement from 'history professor' Henry Brands cannot stand:

“It is interesting because George Washington himself was not especially religious,” Brands said. “He believed in a god but not necessary Christ. But he knew most Americans were believing Christians, and knew that this would be important to them.”

Perhaps 'history professor' Henry Brands has never read George Washington's farewell address:

“Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports.”

Why tell the truth about George Washington when you can advance the bogus narrative that's America's founding fathers were Athiests, Agnostics, and Diests?!?

Sincerely,
Adam Cahn
Cahnman's Musings (www.acahnman.blogspot.com)
Austin, TX
December, 7 2013

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George Washington's Inaugural Bible Coming to Austin!!!

Oh baby:

The George Washington Inaugural Bible will be on display at the LBJ Presidential Library on Monday, opened to the same pages — Genesis chapters 49 and 50 —  Washington placed his hand on as he took the oath of office.

At the time of his inauguration, Washington borrowed the Bible from St. John’s Lodge No. 1,  of the Ancient York Masons, which has owned the Bible since 1770. Since then, it has been used at the presidential inaugurations of Warren G. Harding, Dwight D. Eisenhower, Jimmy Carter and George H. W. Bush. When it is not on tour or in use by St. John’s Lodge No. 1, the Bible is normally displayed at Federal Hall National Memorial on Wall Street in New York City, the site of Washington’s inauguration ceremony.

The Bible, an ornate King James Version printed in London in 1767, will be in Waco for the installation of a new Masonic Grand Master of Texas. After the ceremony, it will be displayed at the State Capitol and lastly at the LBJ Library. At all times, three Masonic brethren will accompany the Bible to protect it.

We can't wait!!!

TheBlazeTV does CSCOPE

 Glenn Beck devoted his entire television program to an expose on CSCOPE today.

First up, David Barton explains the origins of CSCOPE in the Texas Textbook wars of 3-4 years ago:



HIGHLIGHTS:

• Since SBOE monitors curriculum, they call CSCOPE 'instructional material.'

• Teaching globalism, not American Exceptionalism.

• Taking out: Nathan Hale, Liberty Bell, Christopher Columbus' faith.

• Replacing with: Respect and fairness, Dolores Huerta.

• Replacing George Washington with Kay Bailey Hutchinson (yeah, wrap your mind around that one!)

• Emphasis on Contemporary over History.

• Refused to teach abundance alongside scarcity: "The other members considered all resources scarce."

Next, two teachers talk about CSCOPE from the Inside:



HIGHLIGHTS:

• CSCOPE sets up a system where educrats control everything.

• Shocked by the mediocrity of the content.

• Teachers are constantly monitored by educrats.

• Teachers have been fired for speaking out to school boards.

• "There's tremendous coercion."

Finally, Texas Senator Dan Patrick, chair of the Senate Education committee updates the state of play in his committee's ongoing investigation of CSCOPE:



HIGHLIGHTS:

• Talks about the runaround he's gotten: CSCOPE formed the shell company to hide everything.

• "We don't have the votes" to shut down CSCOPE.

• Apple will probably put CSCOPE out of business.

You can read the Blaze's write-up of this episode here.

Finally, if you don't yet get theBlazeTV, you can get it here.

Rabbi Jonathan Cahn: Inaugural Prayer Breakfast 2013

Rabbi Jonathan Cahn (no known relation), author of the Harbinger, spoke at the Inaugural Prayer Breakfast at last month's immaculation in Washington D.C; he didn't hold back:



Highlights:

• How do we Pray for America?!?
• "If a man has a terminal disease, you pray for healing, not riches."
• "If a city lies in danger of destruction, we don't pray in flowery words, we sound the alarm."

• The Truth Must be Spoken.

• Without Truth there is no Love.

• "The people of [ancient] Israel made a fatal mistake; in the midst of their blessings, they turned away from their God."
• "They would still invoke His name from time to time, but it rang increasingly hollow and meaningless."
• What they once knew to be immoral, they now celebrated.
• It was a civilization at war with its foundation.
• The righteous are vilified and labeled intolerant.
• Spiritual amnesia overtook the kingdom.

• From the beginning, the United States was modeled after Ancient Israel.
• Dedicated to God.
• A Holy Commonwealth.
• "In as much as America would follow the ways of God, America would prosper."
• We've committed the same fatal error as Ancient Israel.

• "The nation that was established to bring the Word of God and the Light of God to the world now fills the earth with Pornography."
• A new America where profanity is treated as Holy and the Holy is profane.

• We have undertaken unspeakable sins as well.
• 55 million unborn babies have been murdered in the past 40 years.
• Israel, by contrast, only killed thousands.

• "Without repentance, there is no revival."

• "The voice of God is calling America to return."

•  Humble Ourselves, Confess Our National Sins, Pray for Forgiveness.

Cahn also gives a presentation of the events behind the Harbinger, which is helpful if you've not yet read the book.

Author's Note: Some of the incidents Cahn describes sound incredible, but they're extensively footnoted in the book.

Reflections Upon Trenton

"And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will show to you today;" Exodus 14:13

"These are the times that try men's souls.  The summer soldier and sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from service to their country; but he that stands by it now, deserves the love and thanks of both man and woman.  Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph." Thomas Paine, the Crisis, December 1776.

"Victory or Death." George Washington, handwritten note, discovered by Dr. Benjamin Rush immediately before the Battle of Trenton.

Today is the anniversary of the Battle of Trenton.  I've been thinking about the Battle of Trenton a lot this Christmas season.  One conclusion stands out: in a time of despair, with no guarantee of success, George Washington decided to go out swinging.

It wasn't easy.  It was cold.  The river was icy.  They got a late start.  Two other generals failed to provide reinforcements.  They had to push heavy artillery uphill on muddy roads.  The men didn't have shoes; their bloody feet literally dyed the snow red.

But George Washington, lacking our knowledge of the outcome, decided to go out swinging.

And it worked.  George Washington secured an unexpected victory.  Victory at Trenton and Princeton bought the Patriot army time.

What does this mean today?!?

For contemporary Patriots, the situation in December 2012 bears an eerie resemblance to December 1776.  In both cases, the heady enthusiasm of July was followed by an unexpected setback and a December of despair.  In both cases, the so-called 'Wizards of Smart' encouraged the insurgent Patriots to give up and resign themselves to tyranny.  By deciding to go out swinging, George Washington created the conditions that enabled victory several years down the road.  It won't be easy, and might have our own Valley Forge moment in the near future, but contemporary Patriots should do likewise.

Victory or Death.

Book Review: The Harbinger, by Jonathan Cahn

"The bricks are fallen down, but we will build with hewn stones: the sycamores are cut down, but we will change them into cedars."  Isaiah 9:10

"The propitious smiles of Heaven can never be expected on a nation that disregards the enternal ruls of order and right Heaven itself ordained."  George Washington, Inaugural Address, 1789

"If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then I will hear from Heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land." 2 Chronicles 7:14

This book could be a red pill/blue pill moment.  90% of people who read this will conclude it's crazy.  That's fine, this review is for the remaining ten percent.

What would you say if I told you a 2,700 year old Biblical prophecy could help explain why things in America have gone so badly wrong in the past 11 years?!?  In the Harbinger Jonathan Cahn (no idea if we're related) argues that's exactly what happened.  At a minimum, events fit Cahn's hypothesis.

America began to turn away from God decades ago, when the Supreme Court issued a radical "separation of church and state" doctrine that was the antithesis of what our founders intended.  The results have been predictably disastrous: crime is up, families are in tatters, and we've torn up 55 million babies in the womb.  America's spiritual descent over the past 50 years mimics the decline of ancient Israel in the Eighth Century B.C.  (The first) 9/11, just like the Assyrian invasion of Ancient Israel in 732 B.C. was intended as a wake up call.

The Harbinger is about America's defiant vow to rebulid, and how that vow perfectly mirrors Ancient Israel's.  Isaiah 9:10, quoted above, is that defiant vow; in issuing that vow, Ancient Israel sowed the seeds of its ultimate demise.  The frightening thing is how America's actions since (the first) 9/11 are identical to those taken by Ancient Israel.

The Harbinger is based on easily verifiable events; this is just the first time they've been detailed in order.  An online review cannot do these events justice (you'll have to read the book for that), but one element warrants specific mention.  That's the location.  After (the first) 9/11, St. Paul's Chapel became famous as a sanctuary for pilgrims and rescue workers.  What few people realize, however, is that in 1789, St. Paul's Chapel is where George Washington dedicated America to God following his inauguration.  In other words, God issued His warning to America on the same ground that George Washington offered his dedication; personally.

A note to non-believers and pre-Christians: the purpose of the harbingers is to warn America, not condemn it.  I've written before about post-9/11 idolatry and how that played out in Hurricane Sandy.  How is boastful defiance working out?!?  Have things gotten better or much worse?!?  I'm just as guilty as anyone of relying on myself instead of trusting God, but when things stopped working, I changed.  If this strikes you as plausible, or if something about this just bugs you, I urge you to study deeper.  Don't take my word for anything, do your own homework.

America's crisis is spiritual; our economic, military, and political problems are symptoms of deeper spiritual amnesia.  Over the past 50 years, we've severed our connection with what made us a great nation in the first place.  From our debased culture, to our anemic economy, to our precarious international position, the results speak for themselves.  We've got to do something different.  The Harbinger, by Jonathan Cahn, might not have all the answers, but it's a damn good place to start.

Update: In the interest of open discussion, check out the take of a biblically-adept Harbinger skeptic.

Mission #1: A Message to Demoralized Conservatives

"In His great mercy He has given us new birth into A LIVING HOPE through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead."  1 Peter 1:3, NIV

Last night sucked; I'm not going to sugarcoat it, last night really sucked.

There is hope, but only in Christ.

A year ago, during Occupy Wall St., I was exactly where you are today.  Republicans were (are) ineffective, people were (are) hooked on Big Government, and idiot college kids were (are) only interested in having their alcohol consumption and sexual promiscuity subsidized.  I felt despair, and it really, really, sucked.

Then I started reading the Bible.

The specifics of why I started reading scripture aren't important, but it started with a David Barton video; what's important is that I started with Genesis 1:1 and continued, five chapters per day, until I reached Revelation 22:21.

If you are politically conservative, understand this: God wants a relationship with you, and you already agree with 90-95% of what He thinks.  We are in a spiritual war and taking it on by ourselves is insane.  God is willing to be our clean-up hitter, but we first have to ask Him.

Buy a Bible, start reading it, and find a local Church this Sunday; trust me.

David Barton: The Foundations of American Exceptionalism

Way, way cool:


Highlights:

• The United States has the longest surviving form of government in the world.

• Political Stability is not a natural state for a nation.

• "The comparisons of our Government and those of Europe are like a comparison of Heaven and Hell." Thomas Jefferson

• We've been blessed in America because we followed certain Godly principles.

• The political leaders we think of as America's Founding Fathers didn't think of themselves that way; they thought the Pastors were Founding Fathers.

• Taxation without Representation is grievance #17 out of 27 in the Declaration of Independence; in other words, economic complaints against the King didn't even make the first half of the list.

• Every right presented in the Declaration of Independence was preached from the American pulpit prior to 1763.

• Massachusetts 1647; First Public School Law in America
• "Satan's #1 purpose is to keep us from reading scripture."
• Grounding kids in Scripture was the whole point.
• Jefferson and Franklin were the two least religious Founders, but they're the only ones we ever talk about when discussing the Faith of the Founders.

• Dr. Benjamin Rush
• "If we can get Americans to read the Bible two things will happen: 1) They'll become Christians and figure out how to have a Personal Relationship with Jesus Christ [Personal Note: Amen to THAT], and 2) if Americans will obey what they read it will solve all our social problems."
   
• Mulitiple Founders would read the Bible cover-to-cover once a year. 

• John Adams' writings on Christ are waaay cool!!!

• Abigail Adams said shed rather see John Quincy die than renounce his faith!

• In a free market of spiritual ideas, Christianity wins every time; it's the best product.

• Origin of the Free Market system -- 1 Timothy 5:8, 2 Thessalonians 3:10.

• For Christians, voting is a form of stewardship.

• Luke 19:13 -- "Occupy till I come" -- Whether or not we're living in the End Times is irrelevant.

• A Christian Nation doesn't mean you decree Christianity by law, it means Christianity has a major influence on the development of the culture.

• George Washington asked for Chaplains for the military seven separate times during the Revolution.

• Hebrews 11

Why I'll Never Vote for an Atheist

"So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female He created them." Genesis 1:27

"We hold these truth to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their creator with certain inalienable rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness."  United States Declaration of Independence

"Of all the dispensations and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports." President George Washington, Farewell Address, 1796

"My objective in life is to dethrone God and destroy capitalism."  Karl Marx, 1848

"The basis of those ideals is a commitment to freedom and personal liberty that, itself, is realized only where the blessings of God are avidly sought and humbly accepted." President Ronald Reagan, Evil Empire Speech, 1983

Yesterday, on MSNBC, S.E. Cupp made the following statement:

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

S.E. Cupp nailed it. I couldn't agree more.  Man was created in the image of God; once you reject that you open yourself up to the temptations of utopianism.  When political leaders start thinking they don't report to a higher power, really bad things happen.  That is why Godless people need to be kept as far from political power as possible.

History is quite clear on this topic.  From the French Jacobins, to the Soviet Communists, to the Nazi's, to countless other examples (*cough* Fidel Castro *cough), governments built on a foundation of Godlessness always lead to Mass Murder, Major Wars, and Economic Collapse.  The reason for this is that, once a government rejects the belief that it's individual citizens are created in the image of God, the earthly temptation to use government to 'perfect' citizens and create heaven on Earth will eventually overwhelm those in charge.

This is not to argue that governments built on a biblical Judeo-Christian foundation have a perfect track record; they certainly don't.  One need look no further that our own government under (Democrat) Andrew Jackson to understand that.  The difference is that governments built on a biblical Judeo-Christian foundation will self-correct and (at least) contain the horrors.  In the United States, as horrific as (Democrat) Andrew Jackson was, he led directly to (Republican) Abraham Lincoln a generation later.  In Russia, by contrast, Vladmir Lenin and Joseph Stalin has led to ... Vladmir Putin.  There's a reason Martin Luther King succeeded where Dietrich Bonhoeffer failed.

Man was created in the image of God.  Political leaders who understand this are far less likely to succumb to the tyrannical temptations of power.  This is not to say they are perfect.  Any honest comparison, however, between the shortcomings of biblical Judeo-Christian governments and the deliberate horrors unleashed by Atheistic, Godless governments speaks for itself.  And that's why I will never vote for an atheist.

Update: Morgan Brook Hancock addresses some similar stuff today.